The town of Fraissinet de Lozere is located on the southern face of Mont Lozere (from Pic Finiels to Roc des Laubies at an altitude of 1700 m, the town descends to Tarn from the center of the Pont de Montvert to the town of Bédoues (altitude of 600 m). The town of Fraissinet, located at 1060m, is over a kilometer away from the two streams of Brousse to the West and Finialettes to the East. It is thanks to the two canals, several kilometers long and originating from the Brousse stream to the South, that the village is able to prosper. These two canals allow for the supply of water to livestock on town pastures and irrigate the hay fields around and above the town. The maintenance of these canals is thus essential to local welfare. Moreover the village uses a former parish house (priest's living quarters), beautifully built, which is currently in need of renovation. It needs a thorough spring cleaning before being newly utilized.
Work:
You will be working on the restoration of these canals: clearing out debris and cleaning the canals, replacing stones in the canal bed, construction of a fence, maintenance of water intakes...And depending on the weather, several days will be devoted to the weeding and maintenance of the parish house garden.
Leisure activities:
You can spend your free time discovering the natural charms (waterfall of Rnes, pathways of menhirs (free-standing stones...) and the local traditions of Cvennes of Mont Lozere, bathing in the Tarn, hiking, taking part in local events.
Location :
25 km from Florac, 40 km from Mende, 60 km from Als
Accomodation :
House and former parish house in Fraissinet de Lozere
Since 2009 Emmaus82 and etudes ET chantiers Midi-Pyrenees are working together to enhance the living and working conditions of the people being received in the community. etudes ET chantiers organizes volunteer workcamps. The volunteers of these workcamps, whether they are internationals, educative or locals, participate in the restoration and construction of various buildings, such as the winter emergency accommodation center, offices buildings, and inhabitants houses. These buildings are made using eco-materials (naturals but also salvaged materials).
Work:
There are two buildings works you will participate in. The first task is to restore the sorting workshop's front walls. The second is to continue the construction of straw houses following a specific process Flexagone. The working schedule will be tuesday to friday from 8 30 am to 5 00 pm. An ECMP technical animator will accompany you in realizing the constructions and the tasks, dividing the work into different workstations. During the working time, you will have the opportunity to speak and exchange with the companions of the community.
Accomodation & food:
You will be accommodated in dormitory, in the community. You will share all the daily life with the companions (work, meals, some leisure time...) You will share the meals with all the members of the community. The schedule for the meals are Breakfast 7 to 7h45 am, Lunch 12 to 1h30 pm, Dinner at 7pm.
Location & leisure:
An Ecmp volunteer will accompany you in the leisure time organization and discovery of our region. Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays are dedicated to these cultural and sight-seeing excursions. You will participate in animations such as popular education games and active pedagogy tools. During this time, the topics covered may be group dynamics and intercultural education. Intercultural evening. Bring products, local food specialties from your country and accessories depicting it (pictures, musics, clothes ...etc). You will present your culture and its particularities during an intercultural evening, which you will organize with the animation team. Thank you !
Requirements:
The Emmaus community is a social and insertion hosting place. Their activity is to collect objects at individual houses, to sort them out, restore the objects and to sell them. They also help to cook and maintain the place of life. It is very important to respect the rules of the community to make sure things go smoothly, such as respecting time of work and meals. Alcohol is forbidden in the place of the community. Bring your country gastronomic specialties and accessories (flags, photos, music ... etc). You will organize an intercultural evening and present your country and these features gourmet. Good appetite!
Project: Since 1960, the Neige et Merveilles association has been taking over and renovating the old buildings of the Vallauria Mining Works, creating a sustainable learning center and accommodations. After decades spent renovating and remodeling the old mining site alongside various specialists (geologists, mineralogists, archaeologists, speleologists), in 2009 the association turned its thoughts towards enhancing and capitalizing on this cultural heritage. The first step in this process was to carry out an inventory of the old mines and the of the current conditions of the site. The mining heritage of Vallauria is characterized by spectacular ancient underground mining works. The Vallauria Mining Works project embodies a desire to develop activities for the community within the framework of local sustainable development, while opening the site to a large public. Work: The project will involve improving the safety of the mines by clearing and cleaning the ground in the heart of the mine and in its main tunnels. Volunteers will employ traditional construction techniques such as dry stone construction (retaining walls, stairs). Part of the work involves the evacuation of rubble using wheelbarrows along wooden duckboards. You will be supervised by a cultural heritage restoration professional. Learning and Leisure activities: An educational facilitator will accompany the group during their stay, encouraging the young people to get involved in the cultural dynamic by giving them a chance to discover the findings of research carried out on the geological and mining heritage of Vallauria. Our aim is to encourage young people to engage in discovery, to develop initiative, and to take part in sports and cultural activities which facilitate self discovery and cultural exchange. We can offer them opportunities to discover the regions historical and cultural heritage (national park and Valle des Merveilles [valley of wonders], medieval villages), to take part in formal and informal encounters with people working in the mountains (shepherds, guides), to participate in local cultural festivals, and to take part in high-adrenaline sports activities (via-ferrata, assisted climbing routes, canyon climbing) etc. Accommodation: Indoors, six-person bedroom with bathrooms and showers. Bring a sleeping bag or bed linen. Catering: Volunteers are asked to lend a hand with clearing tables and waste in the dining rooms and with washing up, and they will help in the preparation of some meals. Situation: Tende, located 80 km from Nice, 50 km from Monaco Nearest train station: Tende Airport: Nice
For several years, the Compagnons Batisseurs France has been involved in the Village of Youth of Mettray and has always received a very warm welcome. . The Village of Youth of Mettray used to be a penal colony for youth, La Paternelle, created in the 19th century. Today, it has found a new meaning. Several decades ago, it was opened again and turned into an educative center for professional inclusion and medical support for youth. It hosts around a hundred young people all year long, facing many sorts of difficulties. This beautiful place is classified as Historical Monument. The idea is to mingle the international volunteers with the Insitute young people for some moments in order to reduce their marginalization, to provide them with meetings and exchanges with people from every backgrounds, and to integrate them in a collective project of tolerance and citizenship!
Work:
This summer, you will restore low wallsin stones around the place, and build some fences in wood. Some of the work may be done on scaffolds.
Accomodation & food:
You will be accommodated in one of the buildings, with a kitchen, the bathrooms and rooms for sleeping.
Requirements:
This project is for open minded volunteers, mature and ready to work and share with all kinds of public! This year, this project is run under the OFAJ, and is open to Spanish, German and French volunteers only
Project:In the heart of the Hautes Alpes, the association Les Villages des Jeunes has been managing, livening up and renovating the reception centre of Vaunires since 1964. It is an old mountain hamlet, now a springboard' place for youth and adults experiencing family, health or professional difficulties, and who need to take some time to recharge, acquire new skills and reflect on their plans. Vaunires is also a place where families, tourists and people with disabilities come on holiday to enjoy the calm of the mountains and the dynamics of the place. The workcamps that we organise at Vaunires with volunteers from all over the world allow us to strengthen the cultural diversity of our activities and to make this site open to the world, a place where people of all ages and all social and cultural backgrounds agree to meet by working together and sharing collective life. We hope that you also, a volunteer from France or abroad, will come in this spirit of encounter and working together which brings our project to life. Task: The hosting centre consists of several buildings, including the Htellerie. During winter this house was restructured with a new apartment for permanent staff and a lodge as the result. This workcamp will give you the opportunity to step in to the part where the walls will be insulated, beginning with the east facade. The work includes placing a natural insulator, after having prepared the walls and constructed a stationary, wooden framework to hold the plaster. This workcamp will let you discover new techniques, such as traditional plastering and the use of ecological materials! Leisure activities:Situated in a remarkable natural environment, Vaunires is an ideal place to discover the joy of hiking and life in a rural area, with its markets, people and its producers. In the evenings, you will be able to organise games, international meals or show movies. During the project, touristic outings to discover the towns and villages of the region may also be organised. Lodging:in rooms with 5 to 6 people Location: Vaunieres (7 km from the village of St Julien en Beauchne, 40 km from the city of Gap) Closest train station: Lus la Croix Haute
Age:
18-90
Location:
Vaunieres (7 km from the village of st julien en beauchene, 40 km from the city of gap
Project: In the heart of the Hautes Alpes, the association Les Villages des Jeunes (www.villagesdesjeunes.org) has been managing, livening up and renovating the reception centre of le Fa since 1990. It is a former agriculture domain situated at an altitude of 1000 meters. The old buildings of the farm have been developed into small apartments and group accommodations. At le Fa, from April to December, the association organises inclusion projects for local people who are faced with social and professional difficulties and host teenagers and young adults experiencing family, health or professional difficulties in order to give them a possibility to get professional experience. In the summer, the Fa is also a place where professional artists and musicians come to work in and with this extraordinary place. Together, they create and perform at the yearly festivals that take place at the Fa. The international workcamps organised at the Fa contribute to make this place something extra, where people in different ages, from different countries and cultures, employees and volunteers, artists and tourists, live and work together for some days or several months. We hope that you also, a volunteer from France or abroad, will come in this spirit of encounter and working together which brings our project to life. Work: Most of the buildings at the Fa have been developed and made to host groups during short periods. As a consequence, only one building is left for the permanent staff and the seasonal workers who live on site. With the development of our activities, the team has grown and it is highly prioritised to offer them a good place to stay. This project will take place during two years and the first step is to clear and tidy a building situated 50 meters from the hosting centre. The building is called the Eco museum, because of the old agriculture machines that are there. During the second period, the roof will be insulated in order to create a new apartment in the building. This work will give you the opportunity to learn more about different insulation techniques, from the most traditional to the most ecological ones! Leisure: As the Fa is surrounded by an extraordinary nature, it is an ideal place when it comes to discover mountain hiking and the rural villages with their peasant markets and local products. In the evenings you can organise games, film nights, international meals You can also organise more touristic trips to the towns and villages of the region. Lodging: In rooms with 5-6 persons Location: The Farm of the Fa (3km from the village of Saix, 30 km from the city of Gap) Closest train station: Veynes Dvoluy (18km) Participation fee (teenagers): 150 (non FR) / 300 (FR)
Age:
18-90
Location:
The farm of the faï (3km from the village of saix, 30 km from the city of gap
The workcamp will take place in Saint Géniès de Malgoirès and will involve a group of different volunteers (long term, short term or inclusion). The group will interact with local people living in Beauvoisin and Saint Géniès because they will be hosted in the association, situated 40km far from the workcamp place.
Work :
You will restore the cemetery walls and be part of the town embellishment. You will use traditional techniques with lime.
Leisure :
You will take part in many activities with local people. For example, you will enjoy the « fête votive » with religious and folkloric aspects.
Accommodation :
in shared rooms of 3 or 4 people
Location :
Saint Géniès de Malgoirès and Beauvoisin are towns of 4500 inhabitants. They are situated in the South of France, between the Mediterranean sea and the Cévennes.
Nearest train station :
Beauvoisin (There is a train going from Nîmes to Le Grau du Roi). You can also take the bus number C34 and get off at Place de la Fontaine.
In the small village of Adissan, in the Languedoc wine-growing region. Volunteers will partake in work which will help people appreciate the village, especially by working on an old stone dwelling. Also, they will help during a local cultural event. This is a sunny region which they will enjoy.
WORK:
You will help clear out an old stone house which has collapsed. Bring strong/work shoes to work in here.
ACCOMMODATION:
In the ex-retirement home of Adissan, with all facilities. Please bring a sleeping bag.
LANGUAGES:
English and French
LOCATION:
Adissan is very near to the historic town of Pézenas, and only 45mn from Montpellier.
« I had not appreciated that so few people come out in the East Asian countries that my telling them was something extraordinary. This was also the most interesting aspect of the workcamp in terms of trying to expand the awareness of other ways of living, and there was never any hostility or problems because of it. »
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